Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Price you paid?: Not Indicated
| Rating: 9

Pros:

shooter thorw

Cons:

It feels a lot smooth and shooter to shift.

GTNerdMember

Registered: February 2011Location: Dayton, OhioPosts: 100

Review Date:

Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Price you paid?: Not Indicated
| Rating: 8

Pros:

Smoother shift and shorter throws than stock shifter

Cons:

Kinda hard to get into reverse

If you have, or are thinking about getting, a 5th gen (2010+) Legacy w/ 6MT this is a must. To my knowledge, this is the only STS available for the 5th gen Legacys (which sucks). It's overpriced, but it does make driving the car easier and more enjoyable. A worthwhile investment, as long as there aren't any others available for 5th gen. Note: the STSs for 4th gen Leggys won't work. Subaru redesigned the transmission in 2010. Oh ya, I had the dealer install it. Should've had it installed at the factory, would've been cheaper.

Just installed the SPT short throw shifter on my 5th Gen GT and I am soooo happy with it! I'm glad that the car had the stock shifter when I got it so that I could see the difference.

Install was a snap--took about an hour and 15 to install STS and the STI transmission mount. Factory instructions were very precise and easy to follow.

Build quality is top notch as it should be being a SPT part. Part came out of the box 100% ready to drop right in.

As for the driving experience: This is not really a short throw shifter IMO. It is slightly noticeable, maybe .5 - 1 inch shorter, but pretty negligible. What is great though is the feel. This shifter dramatically reduced the sloppy and vague feel of the stock unit. I doubt much more can be done for this being that the 5th gen uses cables instead of solid linkage. The SPT unit does feel much more precise and solid.

In the end all I can say is, if you have a 5th Gen, buy this! You won't regret it, well worth the money. Don't pay the list price either. This this lists for more than $400 but I ordered it from Heuberger Subaru in CO for $333.

xpooky78xNew Member

Registered: January 2005Location: Newport News VAPosts: 2

Review Date:

Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Price you paid?: Not Indicated
| Rating: 6

Pros:

I have installed the shifter and I like it ok I see a little difference

Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Price you paid?: Not Indicated
| Rating: 9

Pros:

Shortened throw, shortened height

Cons:

Little more notchy than one would expect

Ordered this with the Momo shift knob. Really like the length and the throw. The Momo knob fits my hand perfectly. Took about 1000 miles for the shifter gates to loosen enough for smooth shifts. Now completely smooth and effortless.

I bought my car with the standard throw shifter, which wasn't too bad, other than I sometimes missed second gear due to my elbow hitting the seat bolster (I drive fairly close to wheel. The Subaru STS shortened up the throw to more or less banish this problem.

The throw is probably 1 - 1.5" shorter than stock, height is identical. This could probably be described as a medium throw shifter compared to other aftermarket shifters.

The feel is notchier than the stocker, though not excessively, the shifting effort is negligibly heavier than stock.

The install is not difficult, but takes some patience with the interior, and skinny hands underneath.

BDIIFlying W00t Monkey

Registered: August 2005Location: Parts UnknownPosts: 35795

Review Date:

Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Price you paid?: Not Indicated
| Rating: 9

Pros:

Great feeling, BIG DIFFERENCE!!

Cons:

none

I love this STS!! I have had it for about 8 months now and it is still one of my favorite MODS.

I highly recommend this STS to anyone looking for a sport car like shifter.

I guess my only complaint is that you have to buy the bushings separate...

mccorryMr. NiceGuy

Registered: July 2004Location: Grove City, OhioPosts: 9425

Review Date:

Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Price you paid?: Not Indicated
| Rating: 8

Pros:

Subaru quality, good fit

Cons:

Shifter knob height a little too high

I love the feel of this shifter. My only complaint is that the handle is about 1"-2" too high.

The STI short shifter is nice for a few reasons... One I got it installed at the factory so one less thing I had to do, Two I belive its a 33% shorter shift. BUT, I paid way to much money for it when the Kartboy sells for about 150 and is a shorter shift. But it is smooth and nice.

Also you should buy the Kartboy Bushings for it which make it way smoother.

lawlYou're gonna love my nuts

Registered: February 2007Location: Sandy Eggo, CAPosts: 6114

Review Date:

Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Price you paid?: Not Indicated
| Rating: 3

Pros:

Says STi, from factory, shorter shift

Cons:

notchy, rough, feels like stirring a bucket of rocks.

If you hate subaru transmission feel dont spend extra money to get this.

It's notchy, stick is too long.. the only good thing is that the throws are shorter. It doesnt feel direct and clean. Running through the gate, it feels like there's pebbles that you're stirring through. It came installed in the car when I bought it but I wouldn't recommend ADDING it to the car after you buy it.

I have no installed a kartboy or the Cobb but I will soon. From what I've read it's the way to go.

RadianNew Member

Registered: June 2004Location: Champaign, ILPosts: 9

Review Date:

Would you recommend the product? No |
Price you paid?: Not Indicated
| Rating: 3

Pros:

It came with the car, no installation!

Cons:

High resistance, difficult to get to reverse and 1st, notchy

I've had this transmission for 3 years, and I've never been happy with it. If you want a shifter that lets you slam it hard to shift, then it's not terrible.

Having recently test-driving a Honda Fit and Mazda 3, I can say for sure this is a crappy shifter. I have trouble getting it into 1st when above 10mph, difficulty getting into reverse when it's cold (usually have to grind it once, let go, then do it again), and the shifting action is pretty notchy and high resistance. It's also not what I could call short, giving the stock Fit and Mazda 3 have shorter throws.

It doesn't do well in heat or cold, and recently I've missed more gears (where it grinds and sends a horrific vibration up your arm) than I should have due to more resistance in really hot weather.

It's good for a workout, and it's far from the worst shifter every (accuracy is ok), but I would not recommend this anyone.

Took me an hour and 15mins to install so relatively easy. Difference was noticeable straight away with shifts approx 40% shorter. Actual knob height only dropped about 10mm which isn't a big thing just thought I'd mention it.
Gear changes much faster now with less distance to travel and I have found it much easier to keep the car settled between changes because before the throw was waaayyyy too long for fast changes. Smmooooth changes mmmmm

thebootyhouseContributing V.P.

Registered: May 2008Posts: 1072

Review Date:

Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Price you paid?: Not Indicated
| Rating: 8

Pros:

Shorter throw. Smooth shifts. Bolts right up using existing hardware.

Cons:

Price and the throw isn't as short as expected(still an improvement).

I would recommend this product if you can pick one up for a deal used. I got mine for $125 and have no regrets. I hung on to it and installed it when I replaced the clutch for even more convenience. Mine is real smooth, not rough or notchy as others have described?

drsnobizSenior Member

Registered: November 2008Location: Houston, TXPosts: 251

Review Date:

Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Price you paid?: Not Indicated
| Rating: 9

Pros:

Factory-installed

Cons:

None

Was already on my car when I bought it used. Works just like it did on my 04 WRX.

VerwilderdEx Leggy Owner

Registered: November 2008Location: Boston, MAPosts: 2689

Review Date:

Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Price you paid?: Not Indicated
| Rating: 9

Pros:

Good, firm feel. Def shorter throw

Cons:

Still needs breaking in...reverse hard to get into and 1st gear hard if you are going over 3-5 mph

All in all I love this product. I have been happy with all the spt products I have put in so far. It is a little on the pricey side, but rest assured you won't have issues with your warranty (either the part, the work or other parts on the car).

Even though this is on the pricey side, it does come with the linkage, whereas other shifters are only the stick, so when you think about it, it isn't all that pricey. You pay more, but you get more. This way you know every component is made for the stick instead of others who rely on the stock linkage with only the new thrower.

This is def a good product, however I think it needs to be broken in. I have read the complaints about it and think most of that will go away with time (there are exceptions as with anything out there, stock or aftermarket).
My only complaint after having it for a day is 1st gear is a little struggle to get in if the car is moving, and reverse is sometimes hard to get in as well (however it was sometimes a pain with the stock shifter as well...just a little more so with the sts).

I would recommend this product. I think it is best to stick with SPT as much as possible as you know the company solely focuses on Subaru, instead of other companies who make parts for every car out there. SPT's quality (from what I have seen) is much better than other companies who make parts for multiple car companies, and you know that they are going make products that get the most out of your Subaru while still keep it safe and in good working order.

***Also, I want to make it clear that there are good companies who make quality pieces for Subaru other than SPT. I just like sticking with SPT whenever I can. That I know if something goes wrong with my car, the mechanics will be able to work on it and not go straight to blaming whatever aftermarket part is on my car.